Mirror insider dealing probe widens

The investigation into share dealings by staff at The Mirror widened today after the Press Complaints Commission launched a second probe in the wake of allegations that editor Piers Morgan had profited by up to £20,000 from buying shares ahead of a tip in his own newspaper.

Anil Bhoyrul, one of the Mirror's City Slickers business staff, is at the centre of the new investigation following a complaint that he allegedly owns shares in Luke Johnson's restaurant company Belgo, which were tipped by the paper yesterday. The news comes amid reports that Mirror management have imposed draconian curbs on sharedealing by senior staff.

Morgan's dealings in Sir Alan Sugar's Viglen technology group are already under scrutiny by the watchdog following a report that he bought £20,000 worth a day before City Slickers reported that the company was setting up an Internet operation, more than doubling the share price. The Stock Exchange is also said to be looking into the transaction.

The new allegations state that Bhoyrul owns 10,000 shares in Belgo, which were unmoved at 5 1/2p today.